ORPHAN, n. A living person whom death has deprived of the power of filial ingratitude . . .
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the complex nature of familial relationships and the concept of gratitude.
Ambrose Bierce's definition of an orphan highlights a cynical view on how people often take their family relationships for granted. It suggests that the absence of a parent may strip away not only the traditional expectations of familial love and care but also the burdensome expectations of ingratitude that can exist within those relationships. This plays on the irony of how loss can sometimes yield a clearer perspective on the dynamics of love and gratitude.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the challenges faced by orphans in society.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
Of all that is written, I love only what a person hath written with his blood.
The body sleeps, the heart sleeps, the mind sleeps - but you remain alert because you are nothing else but alertness. Everything else is a false identification. Awareness is your nature. The body is your abode. The mind is your computer. Awareness;s you, is your very being.
The practice of altruism is the authentic way to live as a human being, and it is not just for religious people. As human beings, our purpose is to live meaningful lives, to develop a warm heart. There is meaning in being everyone's friend. The real source of peace amongst our families, friends and neighbours is love and compassion.
As we are, so we associate. The good, by affinity, seek the good; the vile, by affinity, the vile. Thus of their own volition, souls proceed into Heaven, into Hell.
What's real? What's not? That's what I do in my act, test how other people deal with reality.
When we hear a house has fallen do we ask if the ceiling fell with it?
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